Monday, May 18, 2015

Japan is full of weird and wonderful museums many of which are somewhat obscure.

The Araki Shusei Museum certainly falls in to that category but is well worth a visit if you happen to be in suburban Hara in Nagoya.

A local junior high school teacher Araki sent his students out on archaeological hunts and the results can be seen on the second floor with exhibits of pottery, tools, weapons and ceremonial objects from the earliest periods of Japanese history until the Kamakura Period.

Pieces of interest include an ancient stone lingam and roof tiles made in Nagoya for the temple of the Daibutsu (Great Buddha) in Kamakura.

The first floor has wooden models of floats used in various festivals in the area and throughout Japan, along with a collection of hinanotsurushi ('hanging chicks').